Sylvia atricapilla
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Mass
~15 g
Habitat
Woodlands and parks
Diet
Omnivore
How to recognize it
The Eurasian Blackcap looks plain at first glance, but the neat cap on the male and the warmer brown cap on the female make it memorable. Overall it is soft grey-brown, with a paler underside, so in city greenery it often goes unnoticed until it starts to sing.
In spring the male sings from dawn to dusk, and the song is rich, musical, and often ends in a clear flute-like finish. It is a lively, vocal companion in the trees, usually heard sooner than seen, with a quiet chatter close up and a long, steady performance from cover.
Look for it in woods with undergrowth, on edges, in thickets, gardens, and parks, especially where shrubs and lower branches give it shelter. In summer it feeds mainly on insects, then later in the year turns to fruit and berries, helping spread plants; in many places it stays through winter or shifts only a short
Quick Facts
Listen to the call
The Eurasian Blackcap looks plain at first glance, but the neat cap on the male and the warmer brown cap on the female make it memorable. Overall it is soft grey-brown, with a paler underside, so in city greenery it often goes unnoticed until it starts to sing.
In spring the male sings from dawn to dusk, and the song is rich, musical, and often ends in a clear flute-like finish. It is a lively, vocal companion in the trees, usually heard sooner than seen, with a quiet chatter close up and a long, steady performance from cover.
Look for it in woods with undergrowth, on edges, in thickets, gardens, and parks, especially where shrubs and lower branches give it shelter. In summer it feeds mainly on insects, then later in the year turns to fruit and berries, helping spread plants; in many places it stays through winter or shifts only a short
